The gruesome case of human sacrifice and even suspected cannibalism which was reported from Kerala’s Pathanamthitta district last week has shocked the people of the state who have considered themselves to be educated and progressive. This incidence involves the killing of two women as part of black magic rituals hoping that their "sacrifice" will bring them financial prosperity. Kerala has a long tradition of progressive thinking and social reforms which is considered to have changed the individual and social attitudes and helped it to create a unique and widely commended development model. While the incident has shocked people in the state called God's own country, and elsewhere, the diabolical murder of the two women has also renewed calls for enactment of an anti-superstition law. While presently there exists no nationwide legislation to deal with superstitious practices, black magic, or human sacrifice in particular, certain sections of the Indian Penal Code enlist penalties applicable for such incidents. Introduce a stringent legislation to curb the menace of superstitious beliefs and rituals in the States.
